Method of displaying images

ABSTRACT

A method of presenting images corresponding to image data transmitted over a data link, the method comprising the steps of: receiving first image data corresponding to a first image; displying the first image; receiving second image data corresponding to a second image; displaying the second image; if third image data corresponding to a third image has been received before the expiry of an initial set period of time after the display of the second image, displaying the third image; or if the third image data has not been received before the expiry of the initial set period of time after the display of the second image, displaying the first image again.

THIS INVENTION relates to a method of displaying images, and inparticular, to a method of displaying images corresponding to image datatransmitted over a slow data link.

There are many circumstances in which people may wish to view an eventin real time over the Internet, and in recent years a great number ofInternet sites at which live images may be viewed have come intoexistence. However, files encoding images are often rather large, andmay take a substantial length of time to be transferred over theInternet to the computer of a person who wishes to view a live event inthis manner. Thus, if images of a live event are transmitted to a viewerover a slow data link, the image that the viewer sees on his or herscreen may be refreshed at a slow rate, for instance only once every fewseconds. Viewers often find such a slow refresh rate frustrating, andmay quickly lose interest in the event being displayed.

It is an object of the present invention to seek to provide a method ofdisplaying images corresponding to image data received over a slow datalink that alleviates the above problem.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a method ofpresenting images corresponding to image data transmitted over a datalink, the method comprising the steps of: receiving first image datacorresponding to a first image; displaying the first image; receivingsecond image data corresponding to a second image; displaying the secondimage; if third image data corresponding to a third image has beenreceived before the expiry of an initial set period of time after thedisplay of the second image, displaying the third image; or if the thirdimage data has not been received before the expiry of the initial setperiod of time after the display of the second image, displaying thefirst image again.

Advantageously, the method further comprises the step, if the thirdimage data were not received before the expiry of the initial set periodof time after the display of the second image, of: if third image datacorresponding to a third image has been received before the expiry of afurther set period of time after the repeated display of the firstimage, displaying the third image; or if the third image data has notbeen received before the expiry of the further set period of time afterthe repeated display of the first image, displaying the second imageagain.

Preferably, the first and second images are displayed alternately, aftersuccessive periods of time, until the third image data has beenreceived.

Conveniently, the set periods of time are substantially equal to oneanother.

Advantageously, the or each set period of time is determined by the rateat which data is transmitted over the data link.

Alternatively, the or each set period of time is predetermined by auser.

Alternatively, the or each set period of time is determined by the typeof event represented by the images.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of presentingimages corresponding to image data transmitted over a data link, themethod comprising the steps of: establishing a data rate reception;determining whether the rate at which data is being received falls belowthe threshold; and presenting the images by a method according to anypreceding claim if the rate falls below the threshold; or presenting theimages as they are received over the data link, if the rate falls abovethe threshold.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a computer programadapted to: receive first image data over a data link, the first imagedata corresponding to a first image; display the first image; receivesecond image data over the data link, the second image datacorresponding to a second image; display the second image; if thirdimage data corresponding to a third image has been received before theexpiry of an initial set period of time after the display of the secondimage, display the third image; or if the third image data has not beenreceived before the expiry of the initial set period of time after thedisplay of the second image, display the first image again, when saidprogram is run on a computer.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a computer programaccording to the above, embodied on a computer readable medium.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a processing machineoperable to: receive first image data over a data link, the first imagedata corresponding to a first image; display the first image; receivesecond image data over the data link, the second image datacorresponding to a second image; display the second image; if thirdimage data corresponding to a third image has been received before theexpiry of an initial set period of time after the display of the secondimage, display the third image; or if the third image data has not beenreceived before the expiry of the initial set period of time after thedisplay of the second image, display the first image again.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of presentingimages corresponding to image data transmitted over a data link, themethod comprising the steps of: defining n registers; storing image datacorresponding to the n most recently received images in the n registers;and displaying the n most recently received images in sequence untilimage data corresponding to the next image is received.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood,embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart representing the steps of a method embodying thepresent invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a processing machine operable tocarry out the method of FIG. 1.

Turning firstly to FIG. 1, the first step in the depicted methodembodying the present invention is to receive first image datacorresponding to a first image. In practice, this image data may bereceived by a processing machine, such as a laptop computer or a server,over a data link. The data link may comprise, for example, a connectionto the Internet, to another network, or to another processing machine.Image data is received in a format which the processing machine is ableto interpret as corresponding to discrete images, and encodes imageswhich, when displayed in sequence, depict the progress of an event.

The next step in the method is to display the first image. This displaymay take any one of a variety of forms, such as display on a monitor, orprojection onto a screen. A skilled person will immediately appreciatethat there are many alternative methods by which the first image may bedisplayed.

Next, second image data corresponding to a second image is received, andthe second image is displayed, replacing the first image.

The next step in the method is to begin to receive third image data,corresponding to a third image. If the third image data is receivedbefore the expiry of a set period of time, then the third image isdisplayed upon receipt thereof, replacing the second image. The lengthof the set period of time may vary in dependence upon a number offactors, as will be explained in greater detail below.

However, if the set period of time expires and the third image data hasnot been received, or has not been completely received, then the firstimage is displayed again, replacing the second image. Hence, after theset period of time has elapsed, even if image data corresponding to anew image has not been received over the data link, the second image isno longer displayed.

If the third image data was not fully received before the expiry of theset period of time, then the set period of time is allowed to elapseagain. If, during this time, the third image data is received, then thethird image is displayed upon receipt of the third image data, replacingthe first image. However, if the third image data is not received duringthis time, then after the expiry of the set period of time, the secondimage is displayed again, replacing the first image. The set period oftime is then allowed to elapse again while receipt of the third imagedata is awaited, and so on.

Once the third image data has been received and the third imagedisplayed, the set period of time is allowed to elapse once more. If,during this time, fourth image data corresponding to a fourth image isreceived, the fourth image is displayed upon receipt of the fourth imagedata, replacing the third image. If, on the other hand, the fourth imagedata has not been received when the set period of time expires, then thesecond image is displayed again, replacing the third image. If thefourth image data has not been received after a further elapsing of theset period of time, then the third image is displayed again, replacingthe second image, and so on.

In other words, after image data corresponding to a new image has beenreceived, the processing machine displays the new image and stores twoimages, which are the image received immediately before the new image(the “previous” image), and the new image itself (the “current” image).Then, after the set period of time has elapsed, if image datacorresponding to the next image has not been received, the processingmachine displays the previous image, replacing the current image. Oncethe set period of time has elapsed again, if image data corresponding tothe next image has still not been received, the processing machinedisplays the current image again, replacing the previous image.

The previous image and the current image are alternately displayed eachtime the set period of time has elapsed, until image data correspondingto the next image is received. At this point, the processing machinedisplays the next image, and stores this image as the current image. Theimage that had previously been stored as the current image is stored asthe previous image, and the image that had previously been stored as theprevious image is discarded. Then, the new current and previous imagesare displayed alternately until image data corresponding to the nextimage is received, and so on.

It has been found that this method of displaying images received over aslow data link provides a viewer of the images with a sense of constantchange, and is far more pleasing to watch than being presented withindividual images as and when they are received.

The length of the set period of time that is allowed to elapse before aprevious image is presented may depend upon the rate at which image datais received, upon the type of event that the images represent, or may beset by a user in dependence upon his or her preference. Indeed, the setperiod of time may be altered as image data are received, and need notbe constant throughout the receipt of a sequence of images. It has,however, been found that a delay of around one eighth of a secondprovides a pleasing refresh rate. In general, a data link that carries56 kb/s will not transfer image data at a sufficiently high rate forimages to create a pleasing refresh rate if they are displayed as andwhen they are received. However, image data transferred over a data linkcarrying 128 kb/s will be received at a sufficiently high rate for thismode of display to be feasible.

In a variant of the above method, images are displayed only when the setperiod of time elapses. In this embodiment, each time the set period oftime elapses, the processing machine determines whether, during the setperiod of time, image data corresponding to a new image has beenreceived. If so, the new image is displayed. If not, either the previousor the current image is displayed.

If the rate at which the image data are received is variable, then theprocessing machine may be operable to detect when the image data isbeing received at a sufficiently high rate to display the images as theyare received. This threshold rate may, for example, be set by a user,may be determined by the hardware of the processing machine, or maysimply default to a predetermined value. At this point, in thisembodiment, the processing machine will stop employing the above method,and simply display the images in the sequence in which they arereceived, as they are received. If the rate at which the image data isreceived subsequently falls below the threshold rate at which the imagescan be so displayed, the processing machine will begin to use the abovemethod again.

One situation in which the present invention may find particularapplication is in the field of Internet betting. Visitors to a certainwebsite may be able to view the spinning of a roulette wheel in realtime, and place bets on the outcome of the spin. If the visitor'sconnection to the Internet is slow, then the visitor may be presentedwith a stationary image of a roulette wheel for several seconds, and thevisitor may find this lack of movement frustrating, and ultimately loseinterest in the game.

However, when a method embodying the present invention is employed, thelast two images of the wheel to be received over the visitor's data linkmay be alternately presented to the visitor in quick succession, and ithas been found that such an arrangement provides a pleasing andconvincing illusion that the visitor is watching the roulette wheel spinin real time.

Turning to FIG. 2, a schematic representation of a processing machine 1operable to carry out the above method is shown. The processing machine1 also comprises a link 4 to a monitor 5, on which images may bedisplayed.

In addition to the above, the processing machine 1 is provided with adata link 6 to the Internet 7, which in turn has a second data link 8 toa remote processing machine 9, from which the image data originates. Asdescribed above, image data is received by the processing machine 1 overthe data link 6, and first and second image data representing the firstand second images is stored in the first and second registers 3 a, 3 brespectively by the processor 2. Until image data corresponding to thethird image is received over the data link 6, the processor 2 causes thefirst and second images to be displayed alternately on the display 5.

When the third image data corresponding to the third image is received,the third image data is stored in the second register 3 b. The processor2 then transfers the second image data to the first register 3 a, anddeletes the first image data. The images stored in the registers 3 a, 3b (which are now the second and third images) are alternately displayeduntil the fourth image data is received, and so on.

In the above embodiment, the processing machine has two registers, inwhich the current and the previous images are stored while image datacorresponding to the next image is being received. However, it isenvisaged that the present invention may be implemented with a greaternumber of registers, in which the most recently received images arestored, and displayed in succession while image data corresponding tothe next image are being received. In addition, the processing machinemay cycle through the images stored in any number of the n registers,and not necessarily cycle through all of these images. The number of theregisters so used may be set by a user, or may depend upon otherfactors, such as the type of event represented by the images.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate how suchan n-register method could be implemented, and it is envisaged thatvalues of n between, for example, 2 and 10 may be appropriate indifferent circumstances.

It will be understood that the present invention provides a powerfulmethod for presenting images corresponding to image data received over aslow data link, that is likely to hold the attention of a viewer for farlonger than would be the case if the images were simply displayed asthey were received.

In the present specification “comprises” means “includes or consists of”and “comprising” means “including or consisting of”.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the followingclaims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific formsor in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or amethod or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate,may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised forrealising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

1-15. (Canceled.) claim
 16. A method that presents images correspondingto image data transmitted over a data link, comprising: receiving firstimage data corresponding to a first image over a data link; displayingsaid first image; receiving second image data corresponding to a secondimage over said data link; displaying said second image; and displayinga third image, if third image data corresponding to said third image hasbeen received over said data link before the expiry of a first setperiod of time after the display of said second image; or displayingsaid first image a second time, if said third image data has not beenreceived over said data link before the expiry of said first set periodof time after the display of said second image.
 17. The method of claim16, wherein said third image data corresponding to said third image isnot received over said data link before the expiry of said first setperiod of time after the display of said second image, furthercomprising: displaying said third image if said third image datacorresponding to said third image has been received over said data linkbefore the expiry of a second set period of time after said seconddisplay of said first image; or displaying said second image a secondtime if said third image data has not been received over said data linkbefore the expiry of said second set period of time after said seconddisplay of said first image.
 18. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising alternately displaying said first image and said second imageuntil said third image data has been received over said data link. 19.The method of claim 17, wherein said first set period of time and saidsecond set period of time are substantially equal to one another. 20.The method of claim 16, wherein said first set period of time isdetermined by the rate at which data is transmitted over said data link.21. The method of claim 16, wherein said first set period of time isdetermined by a user.
 22. The method of claim 16, wherein said first setperiod of time is determined by the type of event represented by saidfirst, second, and third images.
 23. The method of claim 16, 17, or 18,further comprising: establishing a data rate reception threshold;determining whether the rate at which data is being received falls belowsaid data rate reception threshold; and presenting images as datacorresponding to said images is received over the said data link if saidrate is above said data rate reception threshold.
 24. A program storagedevice readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program ofinstructions executable by the machine to perform a method that presentsimages corresponding to image data transmitted over a data link, saidmethod comprises: receiving first image data corresponding to a firstimage over a data link; displaying said first image; receiving secondimage data corresponding to a second image over said data link;displaying said second image; and displaying a third image, if thirdimage data corresponding to said third image has been received over saiddata link before the expiry of a first set period of time after thedisplay of said second image; or displaying said first image a secondtime, if said third image data has not been received over said data linkbefore the expiry of said first set period of time after the display ofsaid second image.
 25. The program storage device of claim 24, whereinsaid method further comprises: displaying said third image if said thirdimage data corresponding to said third image has been received over saiddata link before the expiry of a second set period of time after saidsecond display of said first image; or displaying said second image asecond time if said third image data has not been received over saiddata link before the expiry of said second set period of time after saidsecond display of said first image.
 26. The program storage device ofclaim 25, wherein said method further comprises alternately displayingsaid first image and said second image until said third image data hasbeen received over said data link.
 27. A display apparatus that presentsimages corresponding to image data transmitted over a data link,comprising: a data link that receives first image data corresponding toa first image, second image data corresponding to a second image, andthird image data corresponding to a third image; a display that displayssaid first, second, and third images; wherein, said third image isdisplayed only if said third image data is received before the expiry ofa first set period of time after the display of said second image;otherwise, said first image is displayed a second time.
 28. The displayapparatus of claim 27, wherein said first image is displayed a secondtime, and wherein said third image is displayed only if said third imagedata is received before the expiry of a second set period of time aftersaid first image is displayed a second time; otherwise, said secondimage is displayed a second time.
 29. The display apparatus of claim 28,wherein further said first image and said second image are alternatelydisplayed until said third image data has been received over said datalink.
 30. A display system that presents images corresponding to imagedata transmitted over a data link, comprising: a data link that receivesfirst image data corresponding to a first image, second image datacorresponding to a second image, and third image data corresponding to athird image; a display that displays said first, second, and thirdimages; wherein, said third image is displayed only if said third imagedata is received before the expiry of a first set period of time afterthe display of said second image; otherwise, said first image isdisplayed a second time.
 31. The display system of claim 30, whereinsaid first image is displayed a second time, and wherein said thirdimage is displayed only if said third image data is received before theexpiry of a second set period of time after said first image isdisplayed a second time; otherwise, said second image is displayed asecond time.
 32. The display apparatus of claim 31, wherein further saidfirst image and said second image are alternately displayed until saidthird image data has been received over said data link.
 33. A methodthat makes a display apparatus that presents images corresponding toimage data transmitted over a data link, comprising: providing a datalink that receives first image data corresponding to a first image,second image data corresponding to a second image, and third image datacorresponding to a third image; providing a display that displays saidfirst, second, and third images; wherein, said third image is displayedonly if said third image data is received before the expiry of a firstset period of time after the display of said second image; otherwise,said first image is displayed a second time.
 34. The method of claim 33,wherein said first image is displayed a second time, and wherein saidthird image is displayed only if said third image data is receivedbefore the expiry of a second set period of time after said first imageis displayed a second time; otherwise, said second image is displayed asecond time.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein further said firstimage and said second image are alternately displayed until said thirdimage data has been received over said data link.
 36. A method thatpresents images corresponding to image data transmitted over a datalink, comprising: defining a sequence of n registers; storing image datacorresponding to the n most recently received images in sequence in saidsequence of n registers in a one-to-one correspondence; and repeatedlydisplaying the sequence of said n most recently received images untilimage data corresponding to the next image is received.
 37. A programstorage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program ofinstructions executable by the machine to perform a method that presentsimages corresponding to image data transmitted over a data link, saidmethod comprising: defining a sequence of n registers; storing imagedata corresponding to the n most recently received images in sequence insaid sequence of n registers in a one-to-one correspondence; andrepeatedly displaying the sequence of said n most recently receivedimages until image data corresponding to the next image is received. 38.A display apparatus that presents images corresponding to image datatransmitted over a data link, comprising: a sequence of n registers;image data received over a data link, said image data corresponds to then most recently received images in sequence, said image data is storedin said sequence of n registers in a one-to-one correspondence; and adisplay that repeatedly displays the sequence of said n most recentlyreceived images until image data corresponding to the next image isreceived.
 39. A method that makes a display apparatus that presentsimages corresponding to image data transmitted over a data link,comprising: providing a sequence of n registers; providing image datareceived over a data link, said image data corresponds to the n mostrecently received images in sequence, said image data is stored in saidsequence of n registers in a one-to-one correspondence; and providing adisplay that repeatedly displays the sequence of said n most recentlyreceived images until image data corresponding to the next image isreceived.
 40. A display system that presents images corresponding toimage data transmitted over a data link, comprising: a sequence of nregisters; image data received over a data link, said image datacorresponds to the n most recently received images in sequence, saidimage data is stored in said sequence of n registers in a one-to-onecorrespondence; and a display that repeatedly displays the sequence ofsaid n most recently received images until image data corresponding tothe next image is received.